Database Differences: Microsoft SQL Server vs. Oracle Database

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It’s no secret that today’s businesses cannot function without data. Think about all the questions you ask yourself at work on a regular basis, “What are my sales so far this month?” “How many customers purchased item X this year?” All of these questions are answered by data, and can provide insights that make the difference between a failing company and a successful business. That is why learning to manage databases and make sense of critical data using SQL is such a valuable skill in today’s job market.

SQL (Structured Query Language) is the primary language responsible for managing data and data structures within a given database. When it comes to relational database management systems, Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle Database.

In this article, I will provide an overview of each. Both have many similarities, as well as many differences, which I hope to help you sort out in order to determine which is the best for you to learn, or for your company to use. Before I go further, it’s essential to explore what an RDBMS is, and language differences between the two.

What is a relational database management system (RDBMS)?

A relational database management system is a program that lets you create, update, and administer a relational database. Most, including MS SQL Server and Oracle Database use SQL, although Microsoft uses Transact SQL, (T-SQL) and Oracle uses Procedural Language SQL (PL/SQL).

According to Segue Technologies, “Both are different ‘flavors’ or dialects of SQL and both languages have different syntax and capabilities. The main difference between the two languages is how they handle variables, stored procedures, and built-in functions. PL/SQL in Oracle can group procedures together into packages, which cannot be done in MS SQL Server.”

While PL/SQL is more complex and have more ‘capabilities,’ T-SQL is simpler and easier to use.

Microsoft SQL Server Overview

Microsoft SQL Server can be used for building, deploying and managing applications located on premise or in the cloud. It supports a variety of transaction processing, business intelligence, and analytics applications.

Built around a row-based table structure, this allows related data to be connected, avoiding redundancy and providing greater data integrity.

“The core component of Microsoft SQL Server is the SQL Server Database Engine, which controls data storage, processing and security. It includes a relational engine that processes commands and queries, and a storage engine that manages database files, tables, pages, indexes, data buffers and transactions. Stored procedures, triggers, views and other database objects are also created and executed by the Database Engine.”

The newest version of Microsoft SQL Server was released June 2016 and included many new features. “SQL Server 2016 added performance tuning, real-time operational analytics, and data visualization and reporting on mobile devices, plus hybrid cloud support that lets DBAs run databases on a combination of on-premises systems and public cloud services to reduce IT costs.”

With this recent update, Microsoft has expanded from running exclusively on Windows to also being available on Linux, giving users the ability to run SQL Server in Docker containers.

How to Learn MS SQL Server

To truly learn the different capabilities of this tool, we recommend learning step-by-step with Microsoft SQL Server Virtual labs. While other tutorials may show and tell you about the tool, SQL Server Labs walk you through the steps to perform the tasks yourself so you can learn by doing.

Oracle Database Overview

Oracle Database is the first database designed for enterprise grid computing. Enterprise grid computing creates large pools of modular storage and servers.

“With this architecture, each new system can be rapidly provisioned from the pool of components. There is no need for peak workloads, because capacity can be easily added or reallocated from the resource pools as needed… The database has logical structures and physical structures. Because the physical and logical structures are separate, the physical storage of data can be managed without affecting the access to logical storage structures.”

You can access an Oracle Database only through a client program, and the SQL language is that client program’s interface to the Oracle Database.

Oracle’s latest version of their database was released in June 2013. Users of Oracle databases refer to the server-side memory-structure as the SGA (System Global Area). The SGA typically holds cache information such as data-buffers, SQL commands, and user information. The database also consists of logs, which hold transactional history.

Strengths of Oracle Database

Ability to upgrade without complete system overhaul

Option for enterprise-level professional management software

Ease of data recovery (in comparison to other databases)

Can handle large amounts of data

How to Learn Oracle Database

Similar to Microsoft SQL Server, learning to work with databases, especially one as complex as Oracle requires plenty of practical training, meaning you must learn by doing. Once great way to do this is using a virtual lab. Get a complete walkthrough with the accompanying lab guide to ensure you are completing the steps properly.

Differences Between MS SQL Server and Oracle Database

In general, the Oracle Database is considered to be much more complex than MS SQL Server. That being said, it is meant for larger organizations where a large database is needed. While the MS SQL Server offers an enterprise version, it is only compatible with Windows and Linux. Oracle can be used on any operating systems.

One of the biggest differences is that of transaction control, meaning a group of tasks that can be treated as a single unit. So, if a set of records must all be updated at the same time, by default SQL Server executes each command individually, and it will be extremely difficult to make changes if any errors are encountered along the way. Oracle on the other hand, treats each new database connection as a new transaction.

Next is the organization of these databases.

“MS SQL Server organizes all objects, such as tables, views, and procedures, by database names. Users are assigned to a login which is granted accesses to the specific database and its objects. Also, in SQL Server each database has a private, unshared disk file on the server. In Oracle, all the database objects are grouped by schemas, which are a subset collection of database objects and all the database objects are shared among all schemas and users. Even though it is all shared, each user can be limited to certain schemas and tables via roles and permissions.”

In terms of functionality, (this is a bit technical) MS SQL Server does not offer partitioning, bitmap indexes, reverse key indexes, function-based indexes, or star query optimization, all of which Oracle offers.

Both are widely used across the enterprise landscape, but which RDBMS is considered superior is a matter of preference and what that particular database is being used for.

To Summarize

Companies are always looking for professionals who know how to manage, and most importantly, make sense of data. With relational database management systems like Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle Database taking the enterprise world by storm, it is more important than ever to utilize these systems.

MS SQL Server is ideal for database beginners, while Oracle is optimal for those managing larger amounts of data. In either case, a thorough knowledge of SQL will help you gain insight into customers and products.

Browse the Cybrary lab offerings listed above in order to gain hands-on skills needed to manage and implement databases and work with powerful reporting tools.

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Olivia Lynch(@Cybrary_Olivia) is the Marketing Manager at Cybrary. Like many of you, she is just getting her toes wet in the field of cyber security. A firm believer that the pen is mightier than the sword, Olivia considers corny puns and an honest voice essential to any worthwhile blog.

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